traffic-light labelling

Traffic-light labelling allows consumers to see how much salt and fat are in products.

Many retailers are already using traffic-light labelling, but the rest need to catch up and do what works best for consumers.

But there are halfway measures that would make a real difference: such as the proposed mandatory traffic-light labelling so resisted by the food industry.

"Of the top 10 supermarkets, only Iceland is left out in the cold and is still refusing to commit to using traffic-light labelling.

The Government recently announced the introduction of "traffic-light labelling" to help end confusion about which are the "healthiest" and "unhealthiest" foods but experts want more action.

Nando's committed itself to offering fewer products that warrant a "red" sign under the FSA's traffic-light labelling system.

Critics cite as evidence the continued lack of a traffic-light labelling system – the single measure that would most help consumers make healthy choices, according to food-policy experts.

"We are delighted that the government has finally agreed to recommend front-of-pack traffic-light labelling," said Charlie Powell, director of the Children's Food Campaign.

All major supermarkets will finally adopt a version of "traffic-light labelling" to help end confusion about which are the healthiest and unhealthiest foods, the government will announce on Wednesday.

Ministers have defended their preference for voluntary agreements - over traffic-light labelling and cuts in sugar content of fizzy drinks - on the grounds that they achieve more than the blunt instrument of the law.

Traffic-light labelling - which is supposed to make the consumer stop and think whether he or she is about to choose a good or a bad product - is an approach which patronises consumers rather educating them and raising awareness.

Traffic-light labelling is not representative as it only shows certain aspects in isolation, so it confuses consumers.

I regret to see that the proposal on mandatory traffic-light labelling and recommended daily amounts labelling was deleted.

While this report does not contain all the measures which I would like to see implemented - such as information on alcoholic drinks and traffic-light labelling -, it is an important start and will cause European consumers to think twice in future about what they eat on a daily basis and what it means for their health.

Lastly, as an Italian, I can only be pleased that the so-called traffic-light labelling has been abandoned for good.

I congratulate the rapporteur on her successful opposition to the misleading traffic-light labelling system.

Tesco Bank has called for the introduction of a traffic-light labelling scheme, similar to that used in food labelling.